Hiroshima (dpa) – Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) does not expect modern fighter jets to be delivered to Ukraine in the near future. “What is related to pilot training is a long-term project,” he said on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan. The US has finally not decided “what will happen at the end of the training”.
On the fringes of the G7 summit of the leading democratic economic powers, US President Joe Biden has in principle paved the way for a coalition of allies to deliver American F-16 jets to Ukraine.
The project was originally a message to those who attacked Ukraine, the Chancellor stressed: Russia should not count on support for a shrinking Ukraine the longer the war lasts. “The message remains: Russia must withdraw troops.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Biden would not use fighter jets to attack Russia. He had an “overarching commitment from Zelenskyy” not to use the F-16 to advance “into the geographic area of Russia,” Biden said Sunday after the summit concluded.
Selenskyj as a surprise guest
Zelenskyy took part in deliberations of the G7 countries at their summits. They were Selensky’s most important allies in the defense of his country against the Russian occupiers.
He had landed in Hiroshima the day before as a surprise guest and had met several heads of state and government gathered there – including Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, but also Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India, a partner country at the summit, has taken a neutral stance on the Ukraine war.
Brazil is feeling under pressure
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who wants to mediate with China, is also in Hiroshima. According to media reports, the Brazilian delegation was said to be irritated and feeling pressured by Zelenskyy’s request for a meeting.
Speech by Zelenskyy?
In the morning, Zelenskyy met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, then bilateral talks with US President Biden are also planned. After the summit deliberations, Zelenskyy’s visit to the Hiroshima Peace Museum was planned, as well as a press conference by Ukraine. Japanese media reports previously spoke of Selenskyj’s speech.
The Peace Museum displays evidence of the horrific consequences of the US atomic bombing of August 6, 1945 on the city. Today, Hiroshima is a global symbol of the horrors of war – and a memorial to peace.
The US gave the go-ahead for fighter jet training
During the G7 summit, the United States gave the go-ahead to train fighter pilots with American F-16 engines. The project is supported by the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Denmark and Portugal. Only at a later date will it be decided when and how many aircraft will be delivered and who will provide them.
Germany has so far shown no interest in participating in the exercise. Scholz emphasized that a lot has been done for Ukraine. Next to the US, Germany is the biggest backer of the country attacked by Russia in terms of financial, humanitarian and military assistance.
In concrete terms, Germany is currently providing what is necessary for efforts to recapture Russian-occupied territory. Among other things, Germany has provided Ukraine with tanks and artillery.
